Drilling machine



Nov. 16, 1943.v 'w. T. CALDWELL DRILLING MACHINE Filed Aug. 5, 1940 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 Nov. 16, 1943. w. T. CALDWELL DRILLING MACHINE Filed Aug. 5, 1940 4 sheets-sheet 2 Kfig, 3.

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Filed Aug. 5, 1940 [N VENTOR Wa/er 7.' Ca/dwel( A 'TTORNEY' Nov. 16, 1943. w. T. CALDWELL DRILLING MACHINE Filed Aug. 5. 1940 4 sheets-shim 4 A TTORNE Y Patented Nov. 16, 1943 Damme momma Walter T.Caldwell, Enid, Okla., assignor to The George E.

Falling .Supply Company Enid,

kla.,a corporation of Oklahoma Application um s, i940, serial No. 351,502 1o claims. '(cl. s55-2z) This invention relates to earth drilling machines particularly for drilling relatively shallow holes such as the shot-holes in seismic surveys, and has for its principal object to provide a drilling machine of this character equipped with drill feeding mechanism that'is also adapted to serve as an elevator for running in and pulling the drill pipe.

@ther objects of the invention are to provide a drilling machine adapted for faster drilling operation; to provide the drilling machine with a drill rotating mechanism having a shiftable drive sleeve to facilitate 'uncoupling of the drill pipe sections; to provide connection of the drill feeding mechanism with the swivel head; to provide trunnion mounting for the swivel head to facilitate handling of the drill pipe: to provide for y ready engagement and disengagement f the swivel head with the feeding mechanism: to probearing arrangement wherein the bearing acts as an antifriction hold-down for the rotating members about a vertical axis within the table.

Other objects of the invention are to provide a mast construction wherein the hydraulic cylinders of the feeding mechanism constitute the major part of the mast; and to-provide a mast structure wherein the truss legs are utilized as ducts for supplying a hydraulic fluid to the respective ends of the hydraulic cylinders.

In accomplishing these and other objects of the invention'. as hereinafter pointed out, I have provided improved details of structure, the preferred form of which is illustrated in the accompanying drawings, wherein:

Fig. 1 is a lside elevational view of a drilling machine embodying the features of the present invention, parts of which are shown in section to better illustrate the construction.

Fig. 2 is a detail elevation showing the swivel head inpivoted position as when removing 'or connecting a section of drill pipe thereto.

Fig..3 is an end elevation of the machine, showing the swivel head in its lowermost position in full lines and in an upper position in dotted lines. l

Fig. 4 is a detail. perspective view of the connecting yoke whereby the swivel head is trunnioningly connected with the hydraulic cylinders of the drill feeding mechanism.

Fig. 5 is a detail perspective view of the swivel head and drill pipe connecting spindle.

Fig. 6 is a plan view of the machine.

Fig. 'I is a horizontal section on the line iof Fig. l.

Fig. 8 is a detail view of the drill pipe. rotating mechanism, part of which is shown in vertical section to better illustrate the driving sleeve and connection of the swivel head spindle with thev drill pipe.

Fig. 9 is an enlarged detail elevation, particularly illustrating connection of the swivel head with the drill feeding mechanism, and showing the drill rotating mechanism in section.

Fig. 10 is a horizontal section through the drill rotating mechanism on the line i-i of Fis. 9.

Fig. 11 is a detail perspective view of the'driving sleeve.

Referring more in detail to the drawings:

l designates a drilling machine embodying the features of the present invention, and which includes a motor vehicle 2, such as a truck, having a platform 3 mounted on the frame i thereof. The vehicle 2 is equipped with the usual motor (not shown), having driving connection with the vrear wheels 5 through a transmission indicated by the dotted lines 8 in Fig. 1. The transmission '6 is provided with power take-oil mechanisms i0, arranged to l and 8 for driving shafts 9 and respectively operate a drill rotating mechanism ii through a clutch l2, and a circulating pump `I3 through a chain and sprocket drive enclosed in a housing I4. The circulating pump is mounted on the forward end of the platform, ywhile the drill rotating mechanism is mounted at the rear of the platform in spaced relation with the wheels 5.

Mounted on the platform, intermediate the drill rotating mechanism and circulating pump, are spaced brackets i5, having pivotal connection as at i6 with a mast structure Il whichris adapted to be moved from a horizontal transport position to a. perpendicular drilling position as shown in Fig. 1. The mast I1 includes a pair of hydraulic cylinders i8 and i9 of length approximating the length of the drill pipe sections or stands, and which are located on opposite sides of the drill rotating mechanism as best shown in Fig. 3. The upper ends of the cylinders are connected by a yoke 20, having lateral extensions 2| (as shown in Fig.- 6) to the rear of the cylinders for connecting the upper ends of relegs 22.

The lower ends of the respective cylinders are y also having connection with the relegs.

closed by. heads 23 and 24 adapted to seat upon the platform, and which have sockets 26 for the lower ends of the relegs. 'I'he heads 23 and 24 also have anchoring portions 26 adapted to erigage seats 21 on the rear of the platform, and to be secured therein by suitable fastening `devices 28, as shown in Fig.' 3.

Connected with the upper and lower ends of the relegs are truss legs 29 having portions 30 and 3| diverging from the relegs and intersecting adjacent the pivot I6 to connect with arms e arms 32 terminate in ears 33 having connection with the pivot I6. The relegs maybe connected with the truss legs by suitable girths 34 and cross-bracing, and the respective truss legs are connected by cross-girths 3,5 to provide a rigid mast construction. The portions 30 and k3| of the-truss legs are preferably tubular, as are the cross-girths 35, so that they may be utilized as ducts 38 and 3T for conveying a pressure medium to the respective ends of the cylinders.

The mast is moved to and from its respective positions by a hydraulic jack 38, including a cylinder 39 pivoted to the platform at its lower end and, having a piston therein operably connected with the mast by a rod 40, the rod 40 being connected with one of the truss legs by a pivotal connection 4I. 'Ihe piston rod 40 'operates through a suitable stumng box 42 at the upper end of the cylinder. A pressure medium,

such as oil, is delivered to the respective endsl of the cylinder through ports 43 and 44 (see Fig. 6) having connection through flexible ducts 45 and 46 with a four-way control valve 41. The control valve 41 is also connected with a duct 48 leading to a tank 49 which is mounted on the platform and adapted to contain' a supplyof pressure fluid. The supply connection of the valve 41 is connected by a duct 50 with the discharge of a pressure pump 5|, having its intake 52 connected with the supply tank 49. A suitable by-pass 53 is provided between the duct 50 and the tank 49, whereby thepressure medium is by-passed from the pump when the piston reaches one or the other ends of the cylinder, the by-pass being controlled by a regulating valve 54 therein, l

, The pump is geared with a second pump 65 mounted on the platform alongside the pump 5I, and both pumps are operably connected with the shaft I0 through a suitabledrive connection indicated by the housing 56S The pump 55 also has its inlet connected with the tank 49 through a duct 51, and its discharge connected by a duct 58 with a four-way control valve 59. The duct 58 is connected with the tank 49 by a by-pass 60 having a relief valve 6|. The valve 59 has connection through flexible ducts 62 and 63 with the tubular cross-girths onthe respective sides of the pivot I6, as clearly shown in Fig. 1, whereby pressure medium is supplied through the 'truss legs to the respective ends of the hydraulic cylinders for a purpose later described. 'I'he valve 59 also has connection by a duct '64 with the supply tank 49.,

Slidably mounted in the respective hydraulic cylinders, as shown in Figs. 1 and 9, are pistons 65 to which are connected rods 66 having their upper endsv extending through stuillng boxes 61 carried by the connecting yoke 26. The piston rods 66 have their free ends connected by a crossbar 68 as shown in Fig. 3. Connected with the cross-bar, and depending therefrom in parallel relation with the hydraulic cylinders, are reins 69 slidable through bearings 10 in the yoke 20 and having their lower ends 1| connected to a cross-bar 12.

As shown in Fig. 4, the cross-bar 12 includes a substantially semicircular yoke portion 13, hav` ing laterally extending arms 14 to which they ends of the reins 69 are connected. The ends of the arms terminate in sleeves 16 and'16 slidably mounted on the respective cylinders. It is thus obvious that when pressure medium is admitted to the lower ends of the cylinders. the pistonsare moved upwardly to carry-the bar 12 toward the upper ends of thecylinders, and when the pressure medium is admitted to the top of the cylinders, the bar 12 is moved downwardly to the lower ends of the cylinders. The vmechanism thus described constitutes an elevator movable upon the hydraulic cylinders t'o raise and lower the swivel head 11.

The swivel.head.11 is best shown in Fig. 5 and includes a body 16 swivelly mounting a nipple 19', having its upper end connected by an L-fltting 80 with a flexible duct 8| leading to they discharge connection of the circulating pump I3, as in conventional rotary drilling prac- 4 tice. The lower end of the nipple connects with a v cylindrical shank 82 through a polygonalshaped head 83. The head 83 also includes a collar 84 for a purpose later described. The,

lower end of the shank 82 has a tool joint pin 86 forming a shoulder 86 with the cylindrical body of the shank and having a tool joint thread 81. Extending laterally from opposite diametrical sides of the swivel body 18 are trunnions 88 and 89 having flattened sides 90. and arcuate upper and lower edges 9| and 92. The trunnions are thus of greater height and width so as to form keys in retaining the swivel headon the bar 12, and to permit removal thereof as later described.

In order to connect the swivel head with the bar 12, the bar has ears 93 and 94 provided with- -through the slots 91 and 98 and enter the bearing openings 95 and 96. Then when the swivel head is moved to vertical position, the trunnions oscillate in the bearing openings to be retained therein as long as the swivel head is in vertical position.

The rotating mechanism is best illustrated in Figs. 9 and 10, and includes a cylindrical housing 99 fixed to the platform in alignment with the swivel head. Rotatably mounted in the housing. 99, on an antifriction bearing |00, is a rotary member including a sleeve-like hub |0| having an annular flange |02 for seating a ring gear |03 which meshes with a driving pinion |04 fixed to the driven shaft |05 of the clutch I2, previously mentioned. The top of the housing is closed by a suitable cap |06 which forms a part of the rotary member and has a depending collar portion |01 threadedly connected with the upper end of the hub |0I. The bore of the collar is tapered, as at |08,.to cooperate with an upper conical portion |09 of Ythe sleeve-like hub |0| to seat a. tapered driving y "ascesi:

gaged in notch-like recesses ||2 -of the collar the inner surface of the bore, and in similarly shaped ways H9 formed in the outer periphery of the drive sleeve, as clearly shown in Fig, 9. 'I'he upper portion of the drive bushing is counterbored to a larger diameter to form a spring seat |20, having a coll spring |2| engaged over the drive sleeve and havingits upper end bearing against an annular collar L22 at the-upper end of the sleeve, and which is adapted, to be engaged by the flange-like collar 84, previously mentioned. and for a purpose later described. The drive sleeve is of greater length than the drive bushing, and carries a stop collar |23 on the lower end thereof which normally engages against the lower end of the drive bushing. The bore oi the drive sleeve is of polygonal-shape, as indicated at |24, to conform to the crosssectional shape ofthe drill rod |25.

In the illustrated instance, the drill rod is shown of rectangular cross-section, although other shapes may be used without departing from the spirit of the invention. The drill pipe |25 has an'axial channel |26, registrable with the ow channel |21 through the shank 82 when the socketed end |28 is connected with the pin of the shank as shown in Fig. 9.

The bearing includes an outer race'ill that is rigidly clamped within the housing 99 by thebottom plate 95 so that the bearing is its supporting connection with the cross-bar 'so that connection of the drill pipe may be made on the ground. Inthis instance "the drill pipe carrying the head will be moved into a position'- so that the trunnions 08 and 09 will, enter vthe slots 91 and 98. The valve 50 isthen manipulated'so that pressure 'medium is delivered by the pump- 56 tothe lower ends of the cylinders.v

The pistons are then moved upwardlyin the cylinders to raise the rods 69, carrying the crossbar 12- therewith toward the upper ends ofthe cylinders. The stand of drill pipe, being connected with the shank 82, is carried with` the' cross-bar to a position so that the lower end thereof depends over the bore of the drive sleeve. I'he valve 50 is again adjusted so that the pressure medium is released from the bottom of the cylinders into the tank, and the lower end of the drill pipe is guided through the bore oi 'the sleeve. After the lower-end of the drill pipe has passed through the sleeve, the b ox thereof may be connected to the pin of the drill bit and the drilling operation started. Y. .v

When the clutch I2 is engaged, the driving sleeve is rotated through the gears |03 and E04, and drive bushing. Upon adjusting the valve 59 so that pressure is admitted to the top of theA cylinders, a feeding pressure is applied to the.

bit to promote the drilling action of the vbit.

When the swivel head reaches its lower position, the collar ,80 engages the collar of the driving sleeve. In this position the joint of the drill pipe is located within the drive sleeve as shown in Fig. 9, so that it is in driving engagement therewith. As the drilling proceeds, the drive sleeve is moved downwardly withinthe bushing positively positioned to carry the weight of the load and to take thrusts act/ing in both up and down directions. 'I'he bearing also includes an inner race |00" that is clamped against the ring gear |03 by. the heads of bolts |03' so that it is rigidly carried by the rotary unit. It is therefore obvious that this single bearing serves the purpose of a hold-down ring to resist upward thrusts, and also supports the downwardly acting loads. Attention is further directed to the fact that the diameter of the bearing is of a size relative to the ring gear so that the component gear load, that is the effective component thrust load on the ring gear, is within the pitch diameter of the bearing, thus causing a positive lclown thrust on all portions of the bearings.

Assumingthat the drilling rig is at a drilling location, the mast is moved to perpendicular position by adjusting the valve 41 Vso that pressure medium is admitted to the lower end of the cylinder 39. As the pressure medium forces the piston to thetop of the cylinder, thelmast is moved on the pivot I6 to perpendicular position, after which the fastening devices 28 are adjusted to anchor the lower ends of the cylinders and retain the mast in perpendicular position. The swivel head and the carrying yoke therefor are at the lower position' shown in Fig. 2, and the swivel head carries only the shank 8 2. A stand of drill pipe is connected with the threaded pin of the shank. This is readily effected by supporting the box end ofthe drill pipe in registry with the pin and locating the shank by means of a suitable wrench engaged'with the polygonalshaped head 03 thereof, while the drill pipe is being held by another wrench. If desired, the swivel head may be completely withdrawn from so that the threaded connection is carried below the housing 99, as shown in Fig. 9. It is then necessary toapply another joint or stand of drill pipe to the drilling string in the bore-hole. This is effected by holding the upper end of the drill pipe with a suitable wrench, applying the wrench to the polygonal head of the shank, and rotating the stank s2 within lthe bore of the drive sleeve. Since the shank is of cylindrical character, it may turn freely with respect to the drill pipe, as the joint unthreads and the swivel head is raised by admitting pressure medium tothe lower ends of the hydraulic cylinders. The drive sleeve follows the shank 82 by reason of the spring |2| A suspended stand may be rotated so as to connect it with the stand in the hole. After connection the drilling operation proceeds as above described.'

Additional stands are added from time to time until the desired depth of hole is reached. The` stands are successively withdrawn from the borehole by reversing the running in operation. For

able spider (not shown), whereupon the upper stand may be unthreaded as in conventional practice, and raised to -a position so that the lower end clears the upper part of the rotating mechanism. The pressure medium is then released from the lower ends of the cylinders so that the drill pipe may be lowered to the ground. Upon guiding the lower end of the pipe away from the drilling position, and continuing lowering the upper end, it is readily moved to a horizontal or reclining position so that the joint may be readily disconnected from the shank of the swivel head.

From the foregoing it is obvious that I have I provided a drilling mechanism which is ol simextending through the drive sleeve, and means on the stem engageable with -the drive sleeve when the stem enters the drive sleeve to shift said drive sleeve in the bushing and maintain driving connection with the drill rod when the drill rod is moved below said bushing, said stem being of a size and shape to rotate in said drive sleeve for effecting disconnection of the drill rod.

2. In a drilling machine, drill rod rotatingV means, a drive bushing carried by said rotating means, a drive sleeve having sliding keyed connection with the drive bushing, a spring between the drive sleeve and drive bushing to yieldably retain said drive sleeve in elevated position with respect to the drive bushing, a drill rod extending through the drive sleeve, means supporting the drill rod, and means on said supporting means engageable with the drive sleeve to depress said sleeve against action of said spring, whereby driving engagement of the drill rod is retained with the drive sleeve after the drill rod passes said drive bushing upon lowering of the drilling string, said stem being of a size and shape to rotate in said drive sleeve for eilectlng disconnection f the drill rod.

3. I'n a drilling machine, drill rod rotating means, a drive bushing carried by said rotating means, a drive sleeve having sliding keyed connection with the drive sleeve, a spring between the drive sleeve and drive bushing to yieldably retain said drive sleeve in`elevated position with respect to the drive bushing, a drill rod extending through the drive sleeve and drive bushing,

' drill rod raising and lowering means, a swivel head connected with said raising and lowering means.' a stem carried by said swivel head and having threaded connection with said drill rod, and drive sleeve engaging means carried on the stem to depress said drive sleeve against action of the-spring when the stem enters ,the drive sleeve for maintaining driving connection of the drive sleeve with the drill rod after the threaded connection has passed through the drive bushing upon lowering the drill rod, said stem being of a size and shape to rotate in said drive sleeve for effecting disconnection of the drill rod from said stem.

retain said drive sleeve in elevated position withv aasasia 4. In a drilling machine, drill rod rotating means, a drive bushing carried by said rotating means, a drive sleeve having sliding keyed connection with the drive bushing, a springbetween.

the drive sleeve and drive bushing to yieldably respect to the drive bushing. a drlll rod extending through and having driving engagement with the drivel sleeve, drill rod raising and lowering means, a swivel head pivotally mounted on said raising and lowering means, a. shank carried by the swivel head and having free rotative movement in the drive sleeve, said shank having threaded connection with the drill rod, and a stop collar on said shank engageable with the drive sleeve to depress the drive sleeve in the drive bushing and'maintain driving connection with the drill rod until said threaded connection has cleared thenrotating means.

5. In a drill rod rotating mechanism, a gear housing, a drill rod rotating means in the hous-| ing including threadedly engaged upperand lower rotating members, a drive bushing having laterally projecting means connecting the drive bushing for rotation with said members, a lateral annular iiange on the lower member, a ring gear fixed to the ange of said lower member, and an antifriction bearing including an outer race having iixed connection with the gear housing and an inner race having xed support relative to the ring gear and having antifriction bearing members between said races, said bearing being of a size relative to the ring gear so that it is located circumferentially of the mean pitch diameter of said gear.

6. In a drill rod rotating mechanism, a gear housing, a drill rod rotating means in the. housing including threadedly engaged upper and lower rotating members, a drive bushing carried by said members, a ring gear xed to the lower member, an antifriction bearing including an outer race having iixed connection with the gear housing and an inner race having ilxed support relative to the ring gear and having antlfriction 4bearing members between said races, said bearing being of a size relative to the ring gear so that it is located circumferentially of the mean pitch diameter of said gear, -afdrive sleeve having sliding keyed connection with the drive bushing, a stem having threaded connection for a drill rod adapted to .be extended through the drive sleeve, and means on the stem engageable with the drive sleeve when the stem enters the drive sleeve to fasten said drive sleeve in the bushing and maintain driving connection with the drill rod when the drill rod is moved below said bushing, said stem being of a size and shape to rotate in said drive sleeve for effecting discon- A and maintain driving connection with the drill K rod when the drill rod is in one position, said stem being of a size and shape to rotate in said drive sleeve for effecting disconnection of the drill rod.

8. n an apparatus of the character described. a gear housing, a drill pipe rotating member in the gear housing, a ring gear xed to the drill pipe rotating member and enclosed in the Sear housing, a driving gear meshing with the ring gear, an antifriction bearing rotatably supporting the drillpipe rotating member in the gear housing and having inner and outer races and antifriction members between said races, said bearing being of a. diameter relative to the ring gear so that the eiective thrust load on the ring gear is` within the pitch diameter of said bearing, said housing having a shouldered recess receiving the outer race and forming a stop therefor in one axial direction,- means for clamping said outer race against said stop to prevent movement of the outer race in an axial direction Within the-housing, and means clamping the inner race in xed axial relation to the ring gear.

the ring gear is within the pitch diameter of said bearing, said housing having a shouldered recess' receiving the outer race and forming a stop therefor in one axial direction, means for clamping said outer race against said stop to prevent movement of the outer race in an axial direction withinv the housing, means clamping the inner race in xed axial relation to the ring gear, and

a turntable carried by the rotating member 9. In an apparatus of the character describecL a gear housing, a drill pipe rotating member in the gear housing, a ring gear fixed to the drill pipe rotating member and enclosed in the gear' housing, a driving gear meshing with the ring gear, a single antifriction bearing rotatably supporting the drill pipe rotating member in the gear housing and having inner and outer races and antifriction members between said races, said bearing being of a diameter relative to the ring gear so `that the eective thrust load on f whereby loads onv the turntable are supported by said single antifriction bearing.

l0. A drill rod rotating mechanism including, a housing having an opening in the upper end, drill rod rotating means in the housing including threadedly engaged upper and lower rotating members. said upper member having a cap closing the upper end of the housing, said Avlower member having a laterally extending annular -ange provided with an upper gear engaging face, a ring gear iixed in seating engagement with said face, an antifriction bearing between said flange and the housing for supporting the drill rod driving means .from axial movement within the housing, and a drill rod drive bushing carried' by said threadedly engaged rotating members.

WALTER 'I'. CALDWELL. 

